Clerk's report: Fewer births, more deaths in '12

Fewer babies were born and more people died in St. Joseph County in 2012, compared to 2011.

By Jef RietsmaJournal Correspondent

Fewer babies were born and more people died in St. Joseph County in 2012, compared to 2011.

Those figures were among statistics provided by St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender when she presented her annual report recently to county commissioners.

The county recorded 717 births in 2011 and 668 in 2012, a difference of 49. Meanwhile, 425 people in the county died in 2011, while 494 passed away a year later, leading to a loss of 69 more residents from 2011 to 2012.

In addition, the number of marriage applications filed between the two years increased from 2011 to 2012. Bender said 469 applications were filed in 2011, 61 more than the 408 sought in 2012.

A notable increase came in the number of pistol permits issued. Bender said 418 were issued in 2011, while 2012 saw 576 administered.

Other statistics from the annual report:

Passport applications were down last year. Bender, whose report was her 23rd as county clerk, said 368 passports were secured through the county in 2011, while only 298 were presented last year. The service last year netted the office $7,450.The number of couples filing for divorce was 469 in 2011 and 333 in 2012.Bender performed 36 marriage ceremonies in 2011, seven more than she officiated the year before.As St. Joseph County’s longest-serving employee, Bender was quick to praise her staff for helping the clerk’s office run efficiently.

“The horror stories that I hear from my counterparts in other counties make makes me cringe when they speak to their strained relationships with the courts, administration and boards of commissioners,” Bender said. “That is not the issue in this county and we are so fortunate … it’s nice to know everyone wants to do their various tasks in the most efficient, courteous and cooperative ways.”

Bender also presented a register of deeds annual report, although she had not assumed that job until January. The county commission last summer agreed to combine the clerk and register of deeds offices.

That report was compiled by Jennifer Wall, chief deputy register of deeds. Bender noted the register of deeds office saw revenue of more than $317,000 in 2011 and in excess of $378,000 in 2012.

Mortgage foreclosures and redemptions dropped from 290 in 2011 to 245 last year. Bender said the decrease is a positive sign and a trend she hopes continues in 2013.